The MC demolition squad, however, spared the backyards of the Oxford and BBC Heartcare hospitals as their managements gave an undertaking that they would remove the structures themselves within 15 days. The hospitals, which had about 30-feet extension over the “nahar,” had urged the MC Commissioner, Mr Satwant Singh Johl, that the demolition would harm the oxygen plants installed there.

What came as a surprise to residents was the prompt action taken by the MC against illegal structures after a long time. However, the demolition squad had to face the ire of the residents who resisted the action initially, alleging that the MC had not given them any notice and that it was resorting to a pick- and-choose policy.

A large number of residents alleged that though small encroachments in shape of lawns, walls and bathrooms were removed, the MC did not touch influential violators.

The Tribune investigations have revealed that encroachments on this part of the old “nahar” was just the tip of the iceberg as the total worth of government land that had been encroached was more than Rs 350 crore. The encroachment had been done by individuals, business houses, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and owners of makeshift kiosks.

“I am aware of this part of the encroached land. Today we have removed structures and buildings from a 1.5-km area. My only objective is to ensure that public property should be utilised by people and no one else,” Mr Johl said.

Arguing with the Commissioner during the demolition, Mr Krishan Dev Bhandari, leader of the opposition in the MC, stressed that the demolition should be carried out without any discrimination.

Led by Mr Shiv Dayal Chugh, district president of the BJP, the residents said they had set up temporary structures for security reasons but some influential people who had constructed pucca buildings were not touched.

On this, the Commissioner assured them that encroachments would be removed without any bias and since the logic of the hospital owners was genuine, they had been given 15 days' time to remove the encroachments. The owners of the hospitals had given an undertaking that they would remove the structures and that they would not go to court for stay. "If they don’t remove the encroachment after this period, I will do it even if I am transferred,” he added.

Mr Gurcharan Singh Channi, general secretary of the district unit of the SAD, alleged that some senior MC officials were resorting to a pick-and-choose policy.